National Association of Friendship CentresThe National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) was established in 1972 to represent, nationally, the growing number of Friendship Centres emerging across Canada. The NAFC is a network of 107 Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTAs) from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Friendship Centres are Canada’s most significant off-reserve Indigenous service delivery infrastructure and are the primary providers of culturally enhanced programs and services to urban Indigenous residents. For over half a century Friendship Centres have been facilitating the transition of Indigenous people from rural, remote, and reserve life to an urban environment. For many Indigenous people, Friendship Centres are the first point of contact to obtain referrals to culturally-based socio-economic programs and services.
As the national body of the Friendship Centre Movement, the NAFC is democratically governed, status blind, and accountable to its membership.